News on Sustainability

The Dutch Potato Organisation celebrated Potato Tuesday on October 6 at Utrecht Central Station during the Week of Our Food. Visitors can enjoy free recipe booklets and discover the people behind the Dutch potato industry.

World Potato Congress launches the 'Growing the Future' Youth Engagement & 4K Club Program in Kenya, bringing 40 students from 10 schools together to learn potato production, compete in five categories and build a lasting agricultural legacy.

Royal HZPC Group highlights how potato breeding can reduce disease pressure and crop protection needs, while Integrated Crop Management and climate adaptation help build more resilient and sustainable production systems.

The 1st International Symposium of Potato will bring together more than 400 professionals in Madrid on October 5, 2026, to discuss potato production, trade, plant health and opportunities across the European potato value chain.

WPC 2026 preparations are accelerating in Kenya, with the Farmers Field Day at FreshCrop taking shape alongside new speakers, partners and international registrations ahead of the global potato Congress in Naivasha.

ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026 opens in Hong Kong from 2–4 September, bringing 760+ exhibitors from 41 countries together for fresh produce business, networking, innovation, technology, market insights and new opportunities.

Emsland Group’s SBTi-validated targets aim to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50.4% and Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, from a 2018 base year. The company also targets net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2045.

The 23rd EAPR Triennial Conference will bring 300+ potato experts to Edinburgh in 2027 to explore 'Sustainable Potato Production for a Changing World.' Register, submit abstracts or explore sponsorship.

Janine Luten, Director of the Dutch Potato Organisation (NAO), says innovation, knowledge sharing and collaboration are essential to keeping the Netherlands a global leader in potatoes while tackling labour, sustainability and regulatory challenges.

Lam Dong, Viet Nam, approved the export of 27,952 potato seeds from 23 breeding lines to India for research. The shipment by the Potato, Vegetable and Flower Research Center supports breeding, variety testing, and potato innovation.

Global warming is accelerating, threatening potato production through heat, drought, pests, and storage challenges. Climate-smart farming, resilient varieties, and improved irrigation are essential to protect future yields and quality.

Washington potato exports have dropped about 10% as China expands production and exports across Pacific Rim markets. Industry leaders say China's lower costs and investment in potato research are increasing pressure on U.S. growers.

Researchers in Prince Edward Island are testing cattle grazing before potato planting to improve soil health, reduce costs and support sustainable farming. Early results show no yield loss or higher emissions as researchers study long-term benefits.

North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission and Rootsii are developing a first-of-its-kind sweetpotato milk from surplus crops. Backed by USD 1.82 million funding, the sustainable dairy alternative aims to reduce waste and create new markets for growers.

Aviko has installed a fully electric e-boiler at its Lomm factory in the Netherlands. Powered by renewable electricity, it will replace part of the site's natural gas-based steam generation and cut CO₂ emissions by at least 4,800 tonnes a year.

With 100 days to go until the 13th World Potato Congress in Kenya, organizers announced new speakers, reopened late poster abstract submissions, and highlighted key program updates, field demonstrations, partnerships, and networking opportunities.

Solynta has secured approval for its hybrid true potato seed variety SOLHY023 in Kenya, expanding its HTPS portfolio with stronger late blight resistance and supporting resilient, disease-free potato production through advanced hybrid breeding.

Potato starch is expanding beyond food as demand grows for clean-label ingredients and sustainable materials. New applications in pharmaceuticals, paper, textiles, adhesives, and biodegradable packaging are creating global market opportunities.